There will be no shortage of questions when the Owen Sound Attack training camp begins today.

And the answers to those questions may not be found until early in the upcoming Ontario Hockey League season.

"I love the group of guys that we have and I'm really excited about them but . . . there are a lot of positions that are open," Attack coach Greg Ireland said in a recent interview.

"And then even after that, there's a lot of ice time that's available and open. It will take a little bit of an extended period of time to see where we're at."

And where most see question marks, Ireland sees opportunities.

"The only statement I have for our guys this year is earn it," he said.

"Don't demand, don't ask. Earn it. If you want, we'll give you the opportunity but you have to earn it."

Questions you say. What's questions?

Well try just a few of these on for size.

How will Brandon Hope respond to being the #1 goalie now that Jordan Binnington is expected to graduate to the pros?

How will Owen Sound's kiddy-corp blue-line of three rookies and a seldom-played sophomore make out in the OHL?

Can Gemel Smith become a #1 centre?

Will Jarrod Maidens regain the form he showed before missing almost two seasons with concussion symptoms?

Will overager Kurtis Gabriel return or will he play in Minnesota's system? And how about Cameron Brace? Will he be back from Colorado?

"There are a of question marks and the only way you're going to find out is to play the games," general manager Dale DeGray said.

"We're going to be younger for sure. My goal is not to be one of the bottom four so if we can be competitive every year and develop players, we'll be a good team and that's all I can ask."

So what about the two biggest question marks, starting with Brandon Hope.

"For him to go from playing 20 to 40-45 games, that maturity and poise and demeanour and work ethic have to take a step to the next level," said Ireland. "He's going to get the opportunity to win a lot of games this year."

And the blue-line?

"Every few years you're going to have an influx of young kids and guys who have been in the background who now get a chance to step forward," said Ireland.

"All of those questions are very appropriate. Guys are going to get a chance to show what they can do. It's kind of a handing of the torch now that some of our older guys have moved on."

The rookies will practice at 9 a.m. today and then hold scrimmages at 10:30 and 3 p.m.

There will be 20 forwards, 12 defencemen, and several goalies on the ice today.

Rookie camp continues on Tuesday with the veterans and older prospects arriving on Wednesday. More than 40 players are expected at the main camp.

Camp continues on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Owen Sound opens the exhibition season on Sunday when the Barrie Colts visit.

Game time at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre is 2 p.m.

SLAPSHOTS: DeGray said the Attack may end up signing a couple more of its 2013 draft picks this fall. That's in response to potentially losing out on high-profile prospects Connor Murphy, Evan Smith, Adam Brady and goalie Cameron Hackett who were not signed as underages and now look to be going the U.S. college route.